- United States
- Okla.
- Letter
The Trump administration's actions to restrict communication and collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) pose a grave threat to global public health efforts. Cutting off vital channels for sharing information and expertise during times of potential disease outbreaks severely hampers the ability to contain and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. This unilateral decision disregards the interconnected nature of public health challenges, which transcend national borders. Infectious pathogens do not respect boundaries, and an outbreak anywhere can rapidly evolve into a global crisis. The expertise and resources provided by the CDC and other U.S. agencies are essential for the WHO's activities aimed at safeguarding the well-being of people worldwide. Hampering this cooperation not only jeopardizes international efforts but also undermines the security of the United States itself. In an era of rapid global travel and trade, isolating the country from collaborative public health initiatives is counterproductive and dangerous. To uphold the principles of science, reason, and the common good, it is crucial to restore open communication channels and renew cooperation between U.S. health agencies and the WHO. Public health must be shielded from political interference and allowed to operate based on scientific evidence and global coordination. The potential consequences of impeding such vital collaboration are far too severe to ignore.